The Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. - Yankees slugger Gary Sheffield could be sidelined up to three months because of an injured right thumb.

Sheffield was hurt in a spring training game Saturday against Toronto. At first, the Yankees thought the injury was just a bruise. But after an MRI exam Sunday, the team decided to send him to Dr. Melvin Rosenwasser, a hand expert in New York.

"Now I'm officially worried about it," general manager Brian Cashman said.

Cashman said the worst-case scenario would be that Sheffield needs surgery, meaning he would be out two to three months. There are no signs of a break, Cashman said, but he would not say whether there was ligament damage.

The best-case scenario, Cashman said, would be that the right fielder could return for spring training games.

PHILLIES: First baseman Jim Thome could return in three weeks from a broken middle finger on his right hand and probably won't miss opening day.

Thome injured his throwing hand Friday during fielding drills in Clearwater, Fla., and he was examined by a doctor Monday.

"Jim does not require surgery. He will have the upper portion of his finger placed in a splint for two weeks and could return in three weeks," Phillies general manager Ed Wade said.

PADRES: Slugger Phil Nevin has a strained left shoulder and is expected to miss about four weeks.

The first baseman was hurt in a spring training game against Anaheim on Sunday night, a year to the day he dislocated the same shoulder, which kept him sidelined until July 23 last season.

Nevin had an MRI in San Diego on Monday that revealed the strain. The area that was surgically repaired last spring was still intact, the team said.

METS: Kaz Matsui came out swinging in his Mets debut, going 0-for-2 in a specially arranged DH role during the Mets' victory over the Cardinals.

The prized shortstop from Japan missed the Mets' first five spring training games because of a cut on the middle finger of his right hand. Eager to get going but still unable to throw, he was in the lineup a day after having two stitches removed.

"I was a little nervous, here and there," Matsui said through a translator. "My name was called out in the stands and the fans reacted and I was grateful."

SHORT HOPS: Brandon Phillips' two-run double in the sixth inning helped the Indians beat the Braves 7-3 and improve to 4-0 in spring training. Atlanta dropped to 0-5 and committed an error for the fifth consecutive game.

• Josh Beckett threw four scoreless innings in the Marlins' 8-1 victory over the Expos.

• Vladimir Guerrero hit a two-run homer and Jose Guillen followed with a solo shot in the Angels' 5-3 win over the Mariners.

• Darnell McDonald and Mike Fontenot homered for the Orioles, who roughed up Jeff Weaver in a 14-5 victory over the Dodgers. Weaver failed to get through the third inning, allowing five runs - four earned - and eight hits.